Faculty and Staff
Aalimiyah Program
Mufti Asif Iqbal - Professor
In 1992, Mufti Asif Iqbal started memorizing the Qūrʾan in Jamia Madinatul-Uloom in New Orleans, LA. Thereafter, he enrolled in the prestigious seminary Darul Uloom Al-Madania in Buffalo, NY to commence on a six-year intensive study of the core disciplines of a traditional Islamic education such as Arabic, Tafsir (Qūrʾanic Exegesis), Hadith (Prophetic Traditions), Fiqh (Jurisprudence) and other related disciplines. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2002. In 2004, he completed a post-graduate specialization program in Islamic Law and Legal Verdicts (Iftaa), which trains scholars to issue formal Islamic legal opinions (Fatwa). He served as the Imam and the director of religious affairs for Manassas Muslim Association in Manassas, VA from 2004 -2015. In 2016, he relocated to Louisville, KY to serve as the director and an instructor for HIRA Institute.
Mufti Asif Iqbal - Professor
Mohammed Atif Iqbal, after completing his memorization in 1999 in Darul Uloom Al-Madania, continued his higher Islamic studies for a comprehensive and systematic study for six years, gaining proficiency in the core sciences of the traditional Islamic seminary curriculum. In 2007, Mufti graduated as an Alim, earning a Ijazaat to teach and transmit his knowledge. He also has Ijazah from Dr. Ismail Memon (rahimahullah) in Tazkiyah. In 2009 after completing Iftaa, he was given the honor of teaching in Darul Uloom Al-Madania. He served over a decade as a teacher and leader where he taught Usul al-Fiqh, Tafsir, Hadith, and Fiqh. He was actively involved in the institution's management and various extracurricular activities involving the students. He also ran the nonprofit Madania Community Center, activities geared for upliftment of youth and families in his locality. In 2022, Mufti Atif moved to Louisville, Kentucky, to HIRA Institute, where he serves as a teacher and a Director of Operations.
Br. Mohammad Sharieff - Professor
After completing his memorization of the Qūrʾan in 2012, Br. Mohammad then pursued his higher Islamic education in Darul Uloom Al-Madania. There he completed the Alim program and graduated in 2018. His B.S. in Childhood Education K-6 from Buffalo State Universy is further complemented by a CELTA certification from the University of Cambridge. As a licensed educator in NY, Imam Mohammad's educational positions include being a math tutor in Erie Community College, a middle school teacher in Darul Uloom, and a high school Arabic teacher in Global Concepts Charter School. In 2024, Brother Mohammad will move to Kentucky, to HIRA Institute, where he will serve as a Middle and High School Islamic Studies, English, and History Teacher. He will also develop the curriculum for Year 2 to 6 of the Alimiyyah Program and complete the Islamic Studies Program for Taḥfīẓ students for 3rd to 12th Grade.
Br. Ammar Shaikh - Professor
Ammar Shaikh is originally from India, but moved to the US for higher education in 2003. He acquired Computer Engineering Bachelors from Bombay, and a Masters degree in Information Systems from University of Maryland. He studied higher Islamic education for seven years from eAlim, Darul Uloom Canada and New York, and subsequently taught Islamic courses. His teaching career started at the Islamic School of Baltimore. In 2009, he joined Islamic School of Louisville as an Islamic Studies, Qūrʾan and computer teacher. He is also a part of the Louisville Masaajid Volleyball Tournaments, Louisville Muslim Bike Club and the International Dawah and Tableegh group. He currently is the Arabic and Islamic Studies Lead and Vice Principal at Nur Islamic School of Louisville.
Academics Program
Sr. Rukaya Hassan - Elementary
Rukaya Hassan is the Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Math Teacher for Elementary. She is currently pursuing a B.A. in Elementary Education from Spalding University.
Sr. Tahoora Sheikh - Elementary
Tahoora Shaikh is the Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Math Teacher for Elementary. She has a Bachelor's in English Literature from Mumbai University, India.
Sr. Fatima Ali - Elementary
Fatima is the Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Math Teacher for Elementary. She is pursuing a Bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of Louisville. She is currently teaching at an Early Childhood daycare for an Islamic center while she teaches at HIRA.
Dr. Norma Nangju - Principal
Norma Nangju received a B.S. in Engineering from Swarthmore College. She also received a M.S. in Environmental Engineering, a M.A. in Teaching, an Ed.S. in Educational Administration and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Organizational Development from University of Louisville. She has 20 years of teaching experience.
Sr. Bushra Furrukh - Math Teacher
Bushra Furrukh has a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from the Government College of Commerce in Sialkot, Pakistan. She also teaches cooking classes for students after school.
Sr. Saira Adan - Math and Social Studies Teacher
Saira Adnan has a Master of Commerce Accounting and Business from the University of Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, India. She worked as a Special Education Teacher at a local public school and educator at a private Islamic school in Tennessee.
Sr. Zinia Asrin - Math and Geometry Teacher
Zinia Asrin has a Bachelors in Computer Science and a Minor in Math and Physics from University of Calcutta, India. She currently teaches the fifth and seventh grades.
Sr. Hafsa Furrukh - Math and Algebra I Teacher
Hafsa Furrukh is pursuing a Bachelor's in Psychology with a Minor in Math from the University of Louisville.
Br. Mohammad Sharieff - English and History Teacher
Mawlana Mohammad Sharieff memorized the Qūrʾan in 2012 and pursued higher Islamic education at Darul Uloom Al-Madania, completing the Alim program and graduating in 2018. He holds a B.S. in Childhood Education K-6 from Buffalo State University and a CELTA certification from the University of Cambridge. As a licensed educator in New York, he teaches as a math tutor at Erie Community College, a middle school teacher at Darul Uloom, and a high school Arabic teacher at Global Concepts Charter School. In 2024, he moves to Kentucky to join HIRA Institute, where he teaches Middle and High School Islamic Studies, English, and History, and develops the curriculum for the Alimiyyah Program.
Sr. Afifa Sadiq - English and History Teacher
Afifa Sadiq received her higher Islamic education in Darul Uloom Al-Madania. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Secondary Education (concentration in Biology), and currently teaches middle and high school.
Sr. Bushra Fatima - Science and Biology Teacher
Sr. Bushra is a Physical therapist and Passionate about engaging students on all levels, enhancing their social experiences by encouraging group lessons and learning. She has a Bachelors in Physical Therapy from Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Andhra Pradesh, India. Talented in using different teaching methods to reach out to students, including physical demonstrations, drawn illustrations and visual presentations. She also has volunteering experiences in various community centers. She currently teaches middle school.
Br. Michael Estes - Geometry Teacher
Michael is a life-long software developer and educator with 31 years of professional experience. He has done everything from maintenance work to developing solutions that launched companies. He has worked in many industries including logistics, manufacturing and service, health care, benefits outsourcing, payments and finance, and higher education. He has taught computer programming and engineering to students at the International Islamic University of Malaysia prior to joining HIRA.
Sr. Zainab Dairi - Algebra II Teacher
Zainab Dairi has a Bachelors of Science in Biotechnology from University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Sr. Maysa Jaber - History Teacher
Maysa Jaber is an academic instructor at Hira Institute, where she is teaching High school Islamic Study- Tazkiya through the Alamyiah program. Currently, she is pursuing her degree in Islamic science at Miftaah Institute in Michigan. Additionally, she is working towards obtaining her tajweed ijaza. Maysa Jaber has achieved certifications from the esteemed Dr. Mustafa Abu Sa'd through the Ishraqat Institute which is located in Kuwait. These certification includes topics such as physiological flexibility and facing obstacles, early childhood conflicts diagnostics and solutions, teenage conflicts diagnostics and solutions, preparing educational guidelines for childhood and adolescence, as well as developing guidance in behavior modification. Being a student of knowledge, Maysa actively participates in planning community youth events and teaching the Qūrʾan.
Sr. Huriyyah Miller - High School History Teacher
Sr. Huriyyah Miller has a Bachelor in Fine Arts from University of Louisville.
Br. Muhammad Saleem - Algebra II Teacher
Dr. Muhammad Saleem has a BS. in Physics and Math from Punjab University, Pakistan and a Masters in Theoretical Particle Physics from Quaid-e-Azam University, Pakistan. He has a MS and Ph.D. in Physics from the University At Albany (SUNY) in New York. While teaching at HIRA Institute, Dr. Saleem is currently the Chair of the Physics Program at Bellarmine University.
Staff
Br. Humzaa Omar - Director of IT
Humzaa is our Director of IT, responsible for leading the school's technology strategy, managing IT infrastructure, and driving digital transformation. He ensures robust cybersecurity, supports educational technology initiatives, and provides reliable tech support for staff and students.
Sr. Desiree Goodale - HIRA Store Manager
Desiree is currently the Manager of the HIRA Store, overseeing daily operations, inventory management, and customer service. She is dedicated to ensuring a positive shopping experience for students, staff, and the community.
Sr. Nafisa Iqbal - Kitchen Manager
Nafisa is currently our Kitchen Manager, responsible for overseeing meal preparation, maintaining kitchen operations, and ensuring food safety standards. She is committed to providing nutritious and delicious meals to support the health and well-being of our students and staff.
Sr. Sarah Abdussalam - Marketing and Donor Relations Manager
Sarah has a Bachelor's in Foreign Service, majoring in History. Her previous position was in public relations consulting, including extensive experience in creating communications and social media strategies, content planning and execution, and establishing and nurturing relationships with stakeholders.
Sr. Amina Omercic - Office Manager
Amina is our Office Manager, responsible for liaising with parents, managing administrative tasks, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. She plays a key role in supporting the school's communication, coordination, and overall efficiency.
Sr. Fairouza Bengoua - Program and Administration Manager
Fairouza is our Program and Administration Manager, overseeing HR, payroll, hiring, event coordination, and outreach efforts. She plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth administrative operations and fostering a positive, well-organized environment at Hira Institute.
Taḥfīẓ Program
Sr. Fouzia Shaikh - Director of Girls Taḥfīẓ
Ustadha Fouzia Shaikh has had the honor of memorizing the entire Qūrʾan and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Islamic Studies from Darul Uloom Al-Madania in Buffalo, New York. She teaches Qur’an memorization both for the Taḥfīẓ Program as well the Weekend Program.
Sr. Suosan Dyri - Taḥfīẓ Teacher
Suosan Dyri is originally from Syria but moved to the United States in 2000. She attended many halaqahs for learning the rules of tajweed in Philadelphia. Then, she moved to Louisville in 2009 where she continues to attend halaqahs for tajweed in MCC. In 2018, she completed a course to teach Qaidah An Noraniah. She is currently working on memorizing the Holy Qur’an.
Sr. Heba Baker - Taḥfīẓ Teacher
Heba studied Sharia in Jordan. She has certificates in the Holy Qūrʾan and the rules of intonation. Studied at the Abdul Majeed Qūrʾanic Center for the Holy Qūrʾan Memorization Society in Jordan.
Imam Ishaq Patel - GLIC After School Taḥfīẓ Teacher
Imam Ishaq Patel was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He acquired his Islamic knowledge at the Darul Uloom Al-Madania in Buffalo. He received his Masters in Islamic Theology and Divinity in 2020. The course included Arabic language, Exegesis of the Holy Qur’an, Tajweed, Aqeeda, Islamic Jurisprudence and received authorization in Hadith Sciences. He is currently working as the Imam in the HIRA Musalla in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Sr. Zeinab Hamado - Taḥfīẓ Teacher
Zeinab Hamado graduated from University of Louisville with a B.A. degree in Biology. She volunteers at the Muslim Community Center of Louisville and at the Islamic School of Louisville to help with various events and to teach Arabic, Qūrʾan and Islamic Studies. At HIRA Institute, she teaches middle school science and high school chemistry. Additionally, she is teaching Islamic Studies in Sunday School.
Sr. Maysa Shahin - Taḥfīẓ Teacher
Maysa Shahin has a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Jordan. She received a certificate in Islamic Education from Zad Academy. She was part of a Qur’an memorization class from Madina for three years and continues to memorize the Holy Qur’an.
Sr. Hana Alsharawi - Taḥfīẓ Teacher
Hana has a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from University of Hebron Palestine. She participates in many workshops here in Louisville and online. She has a certificate for Al Qadia Al noraniah(القاعدة النورانية ) and a certificate for Bidyah(بداية). This year is her fifth year volunteering at MCC (Saturday Halaqa)for teaching the Qūrʾan and is also a second year student online for learning Arabic and tajweed.
Sr. Aziza Iqbal - GLIC After School Taḥfīẓ Teacher
Maysa Shahin has a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Jordan. She received a certificate in Islamic Education from Zad Academy. She was part of a Qur’an memorization class from Madina for three years and continues to memorize the Holy Qur’an.
Imam Wasif Iqbal - Director of Taḥfīẓ
Imam Mohammed Wasif Iqbal grew up in Baltimore, MD and started studying the Qūrʾan at a very young age. He was able to memorize the entire Qūrʾan by the age of 13. Imam Wasif continued his studies at Darul Uloom Al Madania in Buffalo, NY. After eight years, he received Ijaazaat in various Islamic Sciences(including Arabic, Fiqh [Jurisprudence], Hadith, Tafseer, Tajweed, and Qira’ah). Imam Wasif graduated in 2008 with a Masters in Islamic Studies and has been serving as the Imam at the Louisville Islamic Center ever since.